THOSE who have read Mr . William Black ' s novels and Dr . Johnson s "Visit to tho Hebrides , " can form somo idea of the Western Highlands of Scotland , situate iu the Atlantic , and extending from tho southern point of the Mull of Kintyro to the northern extremity of Lewis , a distance little short of two hundred miles . In a

pleasureseeking sense , a much better idea of these romantic islands and the Hig hlands east of them may be gathered from tho little work before us . ° It is all a L-uide-book shonld be , and something moro . Issued by the owner of a line of steamers that have for a quarter of a centnry afforded the public easy access to spots that before then were

soldom visited by strangers , ifc has the fullness and completeness that experience gives . The trips aro varied and numerous , branching in every conceivable direction , embraced in a large scheme . Times , fares , routes , and accommodation are all set forth with clearness . 18 photo lithographs illustrate the text which ia written with a faithfulness

, and a real desire to instruct and amuse not always to be foundin guide books . There is no striving after effect , and yet the descriptions have a charm in themselves which produces the natural desire to go and see the originals , so simply yet naturally depicted . A map accompanies the bookwith the various routes of the steamers traced

, in red . The text explains all about the journeys , and what there is fcobe seen in a manner as pleasant as it is effective . We have no hesitation in saying that any one taking the map and the description together will get a better idea of that par t of Scotland to the west of Thurso in the north , and Glasgow in the sonth , than in any single work that

has ever come under our notice . The book only costs sixpence , and is really worth having for its own sake . Ifc may be had afc the various book stalls , and at tho Glasgow address . Mr . MacRrayne has adopted the title of the "Eoyal Koute , " and has now added another new paddle-steamer , called the " Grenadier , " to his fleet .

This vessel has made her trial trip , and for tho present has taken the place of the Iona on the Glasgow and Ardrishaig station , to bo relieved by the Columba , when she will proceed to the north . This latter vessel is fitted up in the stylo of Pullman ' s cars , and the windows being carried round at the stern

afford a pleasant look-out for the passengers . Separate circular tables are fitted up in the breakfast and dining saloon , and meals aro served fco suit fche convenience of visitors . The cabins are fitted up with every convenience ; a shampooing and hair-dressing establishmentwith every toilet requisite , is provided , and there is a

commo-, dious bath-room , supplied with salt water , for the weary traveller , besides a cloak-room , where hand-bags and small articles maybe left in security . Add to all this a post-office , " where letters , telegrams & caro received , stamped , sorted , and distributed afc every

, , calling place along the route , for transmission to all parts , " and we think ' onr readers will agree with us that nothing bufc money and time are wanted to make a trip in the " Colnmba" one of the pleasurable events of life . No doubt the * ' Grenadier " has been fitted

up wifch fche same regard to comfort , and thafc all that engineering skill and capital can do have been done to make the fleet swift , ploa . sanfc , and effective carriers .

Opening Of The Hotel Metropole.

OPENING OF THE HOTEL METROPOLE .

THIS enormous building , forming one of the stately edifices that have been and are still being bnilt in Northumberland Avenue , Charing Cross , is just about receiving its finishing touches . We shall not attempt to describe the architecture of the hotel , but some conception of its size may be gathered from the fact that it contains six hundred bedrooms , and that the several rooms set apart for dining

will accommodate a thousand persons . The furnishing has been entrusted to Messrs . Maple and Co ., of Tottenham Conrt-road , and apparently all that modern art and money could command has been reqnisitioned . Beauty and utility have been combined in such a way as to please the eye and satisfy the demands of comfort . A formal , or ,

more strictly speaking , a complimentary opening of this public palace took place on Monday last , on which occasion there was a grand military concert at half-past eight in tho evening , supported by the bands ofthe Royal Artillery , the Coldstream Guards , aud the Portsmouth Division of the Royal Marines . Their Royal

Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales were present at the concert , and we are told thab the " long list of patrons and patronesses includes nearly all the members of the Koyal Family , the great ducal houses , and many recognised leaders of aristocratic and fashionable society . " Tickets for the concert were a guinea each , and

were supplied by Lady Bective , 10 Stratford-place , W . We cheerfully givo these particulars because the whole of the money received for tickets is to be handed to the Egyptian War Fund , thns charity was combined with pleasure . This is the reason why Lady Bective took

so active a part in the concert . Visitors bad an opportunity of inspecting the arrangements and appointments of the hotel , which formed no small attraction , we can assure our readers . The hotel will open for bnsiness on the 1 st June .

THOSE who have read Mr . William Black ' s novels and Dr . Johnson s "Visit to tho Hebrides , " can form somo idea of the Western Highlands of Scotland , situate iu the Atlantic , and extending from tho southern point of the Mull of Kintyro to the northern extremity of Lewis , a distance little short of two hundred miles . In a

pleasureseeking sense , a much better idea of these romantic islands and the Hig hlands east of them may be gathered from tho little work before us . ° It is all a L-uide-book shonld be , and something moro . Issued by the owner of a line of steamers that have for a quarter of a centnry afforded the public easy access to spots that before then were

soldom visited by strangers , ifc has the fullness and completeness that experience gives . The trips aro varied and numerous , branching in every conceivable direction , embraced in a large scheme . Times , fares , routes , and accommodation are all set forth with clearness . 18 photo lithographs illustrate the text which ia written with a faithfulness

, and a real desire to instruct and amuse not always to be foundin guide books . There is no striving after effect , and yet the descriptions have a charm in themselves which produces the natural desire to go and see the originals , so simply yet naturally depicted . A map accompanies the bookwith the various routes of the steamers traced

, in red . The text explains all about the journeys , and what there is fcobe seen in a manner as pleasant as it is effective . We have no hesitation in saying that any one taking the map and the description together will get a better idea of that par t of Scotland to the west of Thurso in the north , and Glasgow in the sonth , than in any single work that

has ever come under our notice . The book only costs sixpence , and is really worth having for its own sake . Ifc may be had afc the various book stalls , and at tho Glasgow address . Mr . MacRrayne has adopted the title of the "Eoyal Koute , " and has now added another new paddle-steamer , called the " Grenadier , " to his fleet .

This vessel has made her trial trip , and for tho present has taken the place of the Iona on the Glasgow and Ardrishaig station , to bo relieved by the Columba , when she will proceed to the north . This latter vessel is fitted up in the stylo of Pullman ' s cars , and the windows being carried round at the stern

afford a pleasant look-out for the passengers . Separate circular tables are fitted up in the breakfast and dining saloon , and meals aro served fco suit fche convenience of visitors . The cabins are fitted up with every convenience ; a shampooing and hair-dressing establishmentwith every toilet requisite , is provided , and there is a

commo-, dious bath-room , supplied with salt water , for the weary traveller , besides a cloak-room , where hand-bags and small articles maybe left in security . Add to all this a post-office , " where letters , telegrams & caro received , stamped , sorted , and distributed afc every

, , calling place along the route , for transmission to all parts , " and we think ' onr readers will agree with us that nothing bufc money and time are wanted to make a trip in the " Colnmba" one of the pleasurable events of life . No doubt the * ' Grenadier " has been fitted

up wifch fche same regard to comfort , and thafc all that engineering skill and capital can do have been done to make the fleet swift , ploa . sanfc , and effective carriers .

Opening Of The Hotel Metropole.

OPENING OF THE HOTEL METROPOLE .

THIS enormous building , forming one of the stately edifices that have been and are still being bnilt in Northumberland Avenue , Charing Cross , is just about receiving its finishing touches . We shall not attempt to describe the architecture of the hotel , but some conception of its size may be gathered from the fact that it contains six hundred bedrooms , and that the several rooms set apart for dining

will accommodate a thousand persons . The furnishing has been entrusted to Messrs . Maple and Co ., of Tottenham Conrt-road , and apparently all that modern art and money could command has been reqnisitioned . Beauty and utility have been combined in such a way as to please the eye and satisfy the demands of comfort . A formal , or ,

more strictly speaking , a complimentary opening of this public palace took place on Monday last , on which occasion there was a grand military concert at half-past eight in tho evening , supported by the bands ofthe Royal Artillery , the Coldstream Guards , aud the Portsmouth Division of the Royal Marines . Their Royal

Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales were present at the concert , and we are told thab the " long list of patrons and patronesses includes nearly all the members of the Koyal Family , the great ducal houses , and many recognised leaders of aristocratic and fashionable society . " Tickets for the concert were a guinea each , and

were supplied by Lady Bective , 10 Stratford-place , W . We cheerfully givo these particulars because the whole of the money received for tickets is to be handed to the Egyptian War Fund , thns charity was combined with pleasure . This is the reason why Lady Bective took

so active a part in the concert . Visitors bad an opportunity of inspecting the arrangements and appointments of the hotel , which formed no small attraction , we can assure our readers . The hotel will open for bnsiness on the 1 st June .